Mortdecai
An art dealer, Charles Mortdecai, searches for a stolen painting rumored to contain a secret code that gains access to hidden Nazi gold.
The film disappointed at the box office against its respectable budget of $60.0M, earning $47.3M globally (-21% loss).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Mortdecai (2015) reveals meticulously timed dramatic framework, characteristic of David Koepp's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 47 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.4, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Charlie Mortdecai, a roguish art dealer, is introduced in his world of high-society deception and financial troubles, accompanied by his faithful manservant Jock. He's a charming scoundrel living beyond his means.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when MI5 Inspector Martland enlists Mortdecai to find a stolen Goya painting linked to a murdered art restorer. The case involves international intrigue and could solve Mortdecai's financial problems, but puts him in danger.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Mortdecai actively commits to finding the Goya painting, traveling to Los Angeles to pursue leads. He leaves his ordinary world behind and enters the dangerous international art smuggling underworld., moving from reaction to action.
At 53 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Mortdecai discovers critical information about the painting's location and the secret it contains. False victory: he seems close to solving the case and saving his finances, but the stakes escalate as more dangerous parties close in., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 79 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Mortdecai loses the painting to his enemies and faces complete failure. His marriage appears truly over as Johanna rejects him, his financial ruin is certain, and he nearly dies. Everything he's worked for collapses., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 85 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Mortdecai realizes the true location of the painting's secret and understands that saving his marriage matters more than the treasure. He synthesizes his roguish skills with genuine authenticity, choosing honesty over deception., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Mortdecai's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Mortdecai against these established plot points, we can identify how David Koepp utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Mortdecai within the comedy genre.
David Koepp's Structural Approach
Among the 5 David Koepp films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Mortdecai takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete David Koepp filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more David Koepp analyses, see Premium Rush, Stir of Echoes and Ghost Town.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Charlie Mortdecai, a roguish art dealer, is introduced in his world of high-society deception and financial troubles, accompanied by his faithful manservant Jock. He's a charming scoundrel living beyond his means.
Theme
Johanna tells Mortdecai that his pretensions and dishonesty are destroying their marriage. The theme emerges: authenticity versus affectation, and whether love can survive self-delusion.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Mortdecai's world: his strained marriage to Johanna, massive tax debt to the British government, his devoted bodyguard Jock, and his reputation in the art world. His ridiculous new mustache becomes a symbol of his vanity.
Disruption
MI5 Inspector Martland enlists Mortdecai to find a stolen Goya painting linked to a murdered art restorer. The case involves international intrigue and could solve Mortdecai's financial problems, but puts him in danger.
Resistance
Mortdecai debates taking the dangerous case, consults with Jock about the risks, and learns more about the painting's secret (rumored to contain a code leading to Nazi gold). He resists full commitment while gathering information.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Mortdecai actively commits to finding the Goya painting, traveling to Los Angeles to pursue leads. He leaves his ordinary world behind and enters the dangerous international art smuggling underworld.
Mirror World
In Los Angeles, Mortdecai reconnects with his relationship to Johanna (who joins the investigation) and encounters the American art dealer Krampf. The subplot explores whether Mortdecai can be honest enough to save his marriage.
Premise
The fun of the caper: Mortdecai navigates dangerous encounters with Russian mobsters, dodges assassins, engages in comic action sequences with Jock, and pursues leads across international locations while trying to win back Johanna's affections.
Midpoint
Mortdecai discovers critical information about the painting's location and the secret it contains. False victory: he seems close to solving the case and saving his finances, but the stakes escalate as more dangerous parties close in.
Opposition
Multiple antagonists converge: Russian mobsters, a terrorist organization, and rival art dealers all pursue the painting. Mortdecai's deceptions catch up with him, Johanna grows more distant, and the danger intensifies with each near-death experience.
Collapse
Mortdecai loses the painting to his enemies and faces complete failure. His marriage appears truly over as Johanna rejects him, his financial ruin is certain, and he nearly dies. Everything he's worked for collapses.
Crisis
Mortdecai contemplates his failures and vanity. In his darkest moment, he reflects on how his affectations and dishonesty have cost him everything that truly matters, especially Johanna's love.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Mortdecai realizes the true location of the painting's secret and understands that saving his marriage matters more than the treasure. He synthesizes his roguish skills with genuine authenticity, choosing honesty over deception.
Synthesis
Mortdecai executes his plan to recover the painting and reveal the secret, confronts the antagonists in a final showdown with Jock, and demonstrates genuine growth by prioritizing his marriage over greed. Action-packed finale resolves all plot threads.
Transformation
Mortdecai shaves off his ridiculous mustache (symbol of his vanity) to win back Johanna, showing he's learned to value authentic love over pretentious affectation. They reconcile, transformed by the adventure.